Tours depart from 12-24 Fawcett St, Ballina seven days a week throughout the whale watching season, weather and ocean conditions permitting.

Planned departure times:

Morning – 8:00am
Mid-Morning – 10:30am
Afternoon – 1:00pm
Late Afternoon – 3:30pm

Each tour runs for approximately 2 hours. Guests are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to their scheduled departure time.

Departures are confirmed based on weather, swell, wind, and sea conditions to ensure the safest and most enjoyable experience possible. Your operator will advise of any changes prior to departure.

On Fridays, a dedicated shuttle service departs from Byron Bay Bus Terminal at 9:30am, arriving in time for the 10:30am whale watching departure from Ballina. The shuttle costs just $1 and waits for the tour to conclude before returning to Byron Bay.

• 2-hour guided whale watching tour aboard a purpose-built vessel
• Live commentary by experienced local crew and marine biologist guide
• Whale sighting guarantee – complimentary return cruise if sightings are limited
• Onboard toilet facilities
• Pick-up and drop-off from Byron Bay (Friday shuttle departure only – $1 extra)

Product: Ballina Whale Watching Adventure | Ballina Byron Marine Adventures

Booking & Payment
Full payment is required at the time of booking unless otherwise arranged. Bookings may be made through the Happy Travels website, accommodation partners, or approved agents. Prices are listed in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include GST unless stated otherwise.

Refund Policy
Cancellations made more than 48 hours prior to departure: full refund available.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of departure: non-refundable.
No-shows: non-refundable.
Cancellations within 2 days of the start date: 100% cancellation fee applies.

Departure & Arrival
Tours depart from Ballina, NSW unless otherwise advised. Guests are required to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to departure time. Late arrivals may miss the tour and may not be eligible for a refund. Friday 10:30am tours will have the option for a shuttle bus departing to and returning to Byron bay.

Weather & Ocean Conditions
Passenger safety is the highest priority. Tours may be cancelled, rescheduled, or altered due to unsafe weather, ocean or river conditions, minimum passenger numbers, mechanical issues, or operational reasons. If Ballina Byron Marine Adventures cancels a tour, guests will be offered a rescheduled booking or a full refund.

Whale Sighting Guarantee
Whale sightings cannot be guaranteed as these are wild animals in their natural environment. If no whales are sighted during a dedicated whale watching cruise, guests may receive a complimentary return trip voucher valid during the current whale watching season.

Passenger Safety
All passengers must follow crew instructions at all times. The skipper reserves the right to refuse boarding or terminate a tour for unsafe, disruptive, or intoxicated behaviour. Ballina Byron Marine Adventures reserves the right to alter routes, destinations, or tour duration due to weather or safety requirements.

Health & Accessibility
Guests must inform the operator of any medical conditions, injuries, mobility concerns, or accessibility requirements prior to departure. While accessible experiences are a priority, ocean conditions and marine environments can still involve movement and physical challenges.

Children
Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Infants and children may be required to wear lifejackets during certain conditions or operations.

Risk Acknowledgement
Marine activities involve inherent risks including changing weather, rough seas, coastal bar crossings, slips, falls, and wildlife interaction. By participating, guests acknowledge and accept these risks.

Personal Property
Guests are responsible for their own belongings. Ballina Byron Marine Adventures is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property.

Alcohol & Drugs
Excessive alcohol consumption, illegal drugs, or unsafe behaviour will not be tolerated. Management reserves the right to refuse service.

Private Charters
Charter conditions, deposits, and cancellation terms may vary and will be provided at the time of booking.

Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by Australian Consumer Law, Ballina Byron Marine Adventures accepts no liability for injury, loss, damage, delay, or inconvenience arising from participation in tours, except where required by law.

Humpback whales migrate along the New South Wales coastline between approximately May and November each year, with peak activity typically occurring from June through to November. Your operator will confirm current season availability at the time of booking.

Passenger safety is the highest priority. Tours may be cancelled, rescheduled, or altered due to unsafe weather, ocean conditions, minimum passenger numbers, or operational requirements. If the tour is cancelled, guests will be offered a rescheduled booking or a full refund.

You may either re-schedule directly with the supplier or fill out the Support Form, including your voucher number, name of product you booked, planned departure date and your contact details.

Each tour runs for approximately 2 hours. Please arrive at the departure point at least 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time to allow for boarding.

Standard departures leave from 12-24 Fawcett St, Ballina, NSW. On Fridays, a shuttle service is available from Byron Bay for the 10:30am tour, leaving from the Byron Bay Bus Interchange at 9:30am.

While whale sightings cannot be guaranteed. These are wild animals in their natural environment. Ballina Byron Marine Adventures offers a whale sighting guarantee. If sightings are limited during your cruise, all guests will receive a complimentary return cruise voucher, valid during the current whale watching season.

This tour is open to guests aged 4 to 15 and 18 to 99 years. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Infants and young children may be required to wear lifejackets depending on conditions. If you have any questions about age suitability, contact the operator prior to booking.

The tour operates on open ocean, which can involve some swell and movement depending on conditions. If you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended to take appropriate medication before departure. The vessel is purpose-built for ocean touring and stability, but ocean conditions are always variable.